Richardson Is Back for 13th Season

The Cardiff Devils are pleased to confirm the re-signing of defenceman Mark Richardson for the 2019-20 season.

Richardson had 9 goals and 26 assists for 35 points in 61 games last season, his best total in his 12 years as a Devil. The 32 year-old defender from Swindon, England is the longest serving Devil on the current roster and is heading into his 17 year of pro hockey after making his professional debut at the age of 16 with the Bracknell Bees back in 2003.

Richardson has built a reputation as one of the most consistent players in top flight hockey in the UK. He has been an assistant captain with the GB National Team for the past 6 seasons and was part of the back to back Gold Medal winning teams in 2017 & 2018.

He has played nearly all of his professional career in the UK, with a brief stint in Kazakhstan in the 2012-13 season before returning to the Devils midway through the year.

Over the past 5 seasons with Andrew Lord as Head Coach, Richardson has lifted 2 League titles, 2 Challenge Cups and 2 Playoff Championships.

Andrew Lord spoke about the re-signing of Richardson:

“Richy is one of the most dependable players I have ever coached. His consistency and his desire to improve each season is what makes him so valuable.

“He doesn’t always grab the same headlines as his defensive partners, but it is no coincidence that his d-partners have won the EIHL Defenceman of the Year for the past 5 seasons, first with Andrew Hotham and then last season with Gleason Fournier.

“Because he has been with us for so long, people might not understand how vital he is to our success year on year. He is one of the top defencemen in the league and has been for the last few years and I am happy to have him back on the blueline for another season.”

Mark Richardson sat down with John Donovan to discuss the past season and to look forward to the year ahead.